Out of the blue…a call that made my day

Over the weekend I had a great conversation with Stephen Robinson, a military brat and Army veteran who shares his vast military lifestyle knowledge and experiences in This Emotional Life, a documentary on PBS (learn more about what the program is doing for military families here). Stephen is an amazing advocate for veteran’s affairs and has testified before the House and Senate on PTSD, suicide, mental health and the resiliency of the force. He found out about Wings for Women on the web and gave me a call to talk about what we are doing for military spouses. It made my day!

We’ve been working so hard at Wings for Women to create a conference that empowers and uplifts military spouses. My husband has been so great about funding this organization until we get the sponsorships we need to run affordable conferences for military spouses across the country. Sometimes it is a lonely journey working long hours, creating programs, lining up speakers, finding sponsors. Half the time I honestly wonder what I was thinking; I literally woke up one day and said, “Okay, let’s do this! Let’s make it as big as the vision I believe God has given me to bring healing and hope to military spouses.”

Some days I think I must be crazy, creating this thing out of thin air; I get discouraged by the obstacles and frustrated by the people who don’t understand why military spouses need Wings for Women Military Spouse Conferences–why we need a place to talk with others who know; a place to laugh, cry, talk and hug; a place to get together and heal. But I keep pressing on because I so passionately believe that we military spouses need this!

Military spouses aren’t weak and we aren’t victims. But we are tired. We need each other. I know that these conferences are exactly what military spouses need. I know we are filling a gap. And I know that when we strengthen the military spouse, we help everyone!

So when I get calls from people of Stephen Robinson’s caliber, I know we are doing what is right. When I receive notes from military spouses telling me how long they have waited for something like this, it makes a difference. When I see spouses registered for our conference who are flying in from across the country, I’m inspired. When I get calls from people from PBS and other military ministries, I know we are being blessed and will be able to bless others.

I am so grateful for the many business professionals and military spouses who are coming along beside Wings for Women to make this conference happen. It is only 60 days away and I can’t wait to meet all of you crazy amazing military spouses who are attending! Keep spreading the word–let’s pack the house and party in May!

If you haven’t registered for the conference yet, there are only a few more weeks to do so! Follow this link and register today! (It’s only $32–but it has a value of $125)

See you soon!

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Don’t miss out!

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Counting Down

Only five more months to go until our biggest conference yet in Colorado Springs! That may seem like a long time for you to wait, but here behind the scenes we’re busy getting all the details hammered out for the best conference experience possible for our Military Spouses! We’ve even heard rumors that some spouses will be flying in from out of state to attend. There is a lot of excitement stirring so be sure to get your tickets early! They will go on sale January 5th for an early bird price of only $24! Unheard of! It is and always will be be our goal to keep the ticket prices under $30 for as long as we can so any military spouse who wants to attend can afford to do so. We also have some organizations that are offering to pay for spouse scholarships!

Here are some of the exciting details: Our General Sessions will feature humorists, military spouses, great music (also from a military spouse), and lots of fun and laughter. We have some great videos to show you as well. We won’t be afraid, however, to talk about the challenges of military life with you–not to gripe about it, but to find solutions together so we can all live to our fullest potential in the position that we have been placed.

We’re also putting together five workshops that will be led by experts and military spouses. Some of the topics will include: Marriage and Communication, Helping our Kids Cope, What to do when your spouse comes home different (dealing with PTSD/TBI and secondary PTSD as a spouse) and a workshop of career/volunteer opportunities to enhance your expereiences. We will also have care teams available for counseling should anyone need to talk an issue out.

For your enjoyment, we’ll have free chair massages, books and other items for sale and a whole pool of resources for military spouses including such organizations as, Just Moved, Wives of Faith, Christian Military Wives, Pikes Peak Leadership, Back Yard Bible Club, Talking with Heroes, and more!

We are currently looking for volunteers to help us with registration, some administrative duties and a bunch of critical roles at the conference itself. When you volunteer, you can attend the conference at no cost! If you are interested in helping us out–and helping other military spouses–please let us know!

By the way, as soon as funding allows, we’re also putting together a special event for military husbands–a day-long video game tournament! So spread the word and keep your ears open to hear more about this wonderful event!

Looking forward to seeing you all in Colorado in 2010, in Colorado and Texas in 2011 and across the nation soon!

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Our 2010 Conference Venue is Confirmed!

I’m so excited to announce that our 2010 Conference will take place in Colorado Springs at the Cheyenne Mountain Conference Resort on May 14-15. This is such a beautiful property and you will feel pampered in the foothills of the front range as we gather to laugh, cry and help each other be the best military spouses we can be!

Even better news: The conference center is giving us a bloc of rooms for $88 per night (unheard of) so you can come from out of town or just give yourself a weekend away. In fact, the conference is the weekend after mothers’ day AND during Military Spouse Appreciation Month. What better gift could your hubby get you than a weekend to refresh with friends! Start dropping your hints now! You can have a whole weekend of fun and relaxation with one, two or three friends for LESS THAN $100! How cool is that!?

So spread the word, mark your calendars and watch for registration to open in January!!!

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Wings for Women on Her Freedom Radio

I’ve received confirmation today that Wings for Women will be featured on the online radio program, Her Freedom, next Wednesday, October 14th at 9 am colorado time. I’m very excited to share what we are doing and anticipating for Wings for Women as we prepare for the 2010 conference in colorado springs and our subsequent growth to so many additional military towns in the coming years!

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Collaboration is Key

There are so many organizations helping the military, and I am excited to be collaborating with some to offer a well-rounded and impactful service to military spouses.

We have recently met with Campus Crusade’s Military Ministry to augment what they are already doing for military personnel when they enter the armed services. We’ve been talking with Wives of Faith and Christian Military Wives to collaborate on the services and ministries we’re providing for military spouses. I’m so excited about how things are coming together!

Wings for Women will be offering the yearly conferences (soon in most major military cities across the nation) and Wives of Faith and Christian Military Wives will help you get connected locally and nationally with other Mil Spouses to offer support and encouragement until the Wings conference comes back to your town the following year.

Military Spouses, you are alone no more!

Have a blessed day!

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